Reusable tote bag for accepting shopping information

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a reusable tote bag for accepting shopping information. The tote bag includes a collapsible bag body with an outside surface that defines a pliant dry erase canvas that with multiple, permanent indicators corresponding to merchandise items; or blanks for accepting item names or designations. Attached to the bag body is a handle assembly to allow a user to transport the bag body by hand. Alternative embodiments of the bag body may include an outer side surface that defines a sheet sheath with a substantially translucent exterior surface. Within the sheath fits a reinforced dry erase merchandise insert sheet. Upon the sheet are multiple permanent indicators corresponding to merchandise items.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of shopping devices and more specifically to the field of reusable tote bags.

BACKGROUND

A consumer's merchandise often finds its way into some sort of bag. Shopping bags come in many shapes and sizes, from the brown-paper grocery bag to the reinforced ply plastic bags frequently encountered at upscale department stores. A new trend is emerging in shopping convenience: consumers entering a store with their own reusable bags. The great amount of waste generated from discarded shopping bags is a prime reason for the increase in popularity of reusable tote bags.

Reusable bags posses the convenience and portability of disposable bags, yet are an environmentally friendly means of shopping and transporting items. Disposable bags tend to be built of inexpensive, easily-manufactured materials that can be dispensed in bulk. Reusable tote bags tend to be built of cloth, hemp, canvas, cotton, and other natural materials capable of natural and time-appropriate degradation and machine-aided washing. The reusable tote bags are simple in construction, and avoid the lavish ornamentations and mechanical additions of more fashion-oriented bag accouterment (e.g. purses).

Consumers have many shopping errands and often create shopping lists of the items that they need to purchase. Toting a shopping list enhances the efficiency of shopping: the consumer is more likely to focus on needed items and less likely to buy unnecessary items. Lists have many disadvantages. They are inconvenient because they can be lost, can be easily forgotten, and create more trash. There also must be a place for the list to be stored. Also, on the way to the store, a consumer might remember more things that were not placed on the list. For an evolving list, a consumer would need to carry a pen around as well.

It would be more convenient if a shopper could merely concentrate on bringing a single item, preferably a bag, to a store. A list that can be written on the same bag each time the bag is used would minimize the amount of items that need to be carried around. U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,932 purports to disclose a reusable gift bag for holding a gift therein and which can be used again after the gift has been removed. The reusable gift bag includes a bag with an opening therein, and a peripheral sleeve around an outer periphery of the opening. The peripheral sleeve has a break therein defining a pair of opposing open ends. At least one flexible elongate element is extended through the peripheral sleeve for constricting the opening of the bag. The elongate element has a pair of opposite ends outwardly extending from the break in the peripheral sleeve. A writing instrument is coupled to one end of the elongate elements. A reusable tag is coupled to the other end of the elongate element. The reusable tag has an exterior surface designed for permitting wiping off of marks formed thereon by the writing instrument in order to clean the exterior surface of the reusable tag for repeated use of the reusable tag.

The '932 patent is designed primarily for gifts, not necessarily toting multiple shopping items conveniently. It accepts information related to a sender and a receiver of a gift, but is not adapted to accept large quantities of information related to many items. Furthermore, the portion that does accept information is attached to its bag via a cord; which may not have the structural strength for prolonged attachment.

Therefore, there is a need for a shopping bag capable of repeated use that accepts information related to multiple shopping items, that incorporates the list onto the bag in a manner that allows longevity of the shopping list, that is capable of accepting designations related to shopping items, that allows repeated use of the same shopping list portion, and that accommodates commonly-used marking devices such as a dry erase marker.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a reusable tote bag for accepting shopping information. The tote bag includes a collapsible bag body that forms an interior cavity and a flexible cavity entrance that leads to the interior cavity. An outside surface of the tote bag defines a pliant dry erase canvas that includes multiple, permanent indicators that correspond to merchandise items. The outside surface of the tote bag may include multiple, permanent indicators that correspond to blanks to allow a user to fill in item names or designations. Attached to the bag body is a handle assembly to allow a user to transport the bag body by hand.

Alternative embodiments of the bag body may include an outer side surface that defines a sheet sheath with a substantially translucent exterior surface. Within the sheath fits a reinforced dry erase merchandise insert sheet. Upon the sheet are multiple permanent indicators corresponding to merchandise items.

It is preferred that the bag body is composed of plastic, and more particularly vinyl, possessing perforations throughout a substantial portion of the bag body. The tote bag may further include an attachment assembly adapted to accept a dry erase marker for the convenience of the user. It is preferred that the attachment assembly is formed integrally into the bag body.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to present a reusable tote bag capable of assisting a shopper in acquiring items.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to present a reusable tote bag capable of assisting a shopper in remembering items.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to present a device that minimizes shopping time.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to present a device that maximizes shopping convenience.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive. Furthermore, some features may apply to certain versions of the invention, but not others. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tote bag of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tote bag of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tote bag of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, a basic embodiment of the tote bag 100 is shown. The tote bag 100 includes a collapsible bag body 102 that forms an interior cavity 104 and a flexible cavity entrance 106 that leads to the interior cavity 104. By collapsible it is meant that a portion of the bag body 102 may be collapsed upon itself to allow simplified transportation and storage.

The tote bag 100 includes an outside surface 108 that is preferably composed entirely of a flexible, pliant material possessing the ability to accept temporary dry erase marks. A canvas 112 of the present invention is the portion of the bag body 102 composed of a material amenable to temporary dry erase mark acceptance. As in FIG. 1 and other embodiments of the present invention, the entire outside surface 108 of the bag 100 may constitute the canvas 112, yet in other embodiments of the present invention the canvas 112 may be a distinct component of the bag body 102. The canvas may be integrated into the bag body 102 such that it is continuous with the outside surface 108, affixed to the bag body 102, or releasably attached to the bag body 102. The canvas 112 may be constructed of any pliant, flexible material capable of temporarily accepting dry erase marks and allow the bag 100 to maintain a collapsible nature. The preferred material of the canvas 112 is a plastic, particularly a vinyl sheet extruded to a thinness amenable to contortion.

The canvas 112 bears item indicators 114 permanently placed thereon. By permanently placed or located, it is meant that the indicators 114 are not capable of removal from the canvas 112 via simple physical means, such as via a tissue urged by hand pressure. The indicators 114 may include words, symbols, logos, pictures, or any other designation capable of conveying to a user the concept of a shopping item; or the indicator may simply include a blank line adapted to accept information relating to a shopping item. The collection of indicators replaces the traditional, separate shopping list of a user; and its presence on the bag body creates a convenience that allows the user: to remember easily the location of items needed, and to indicate the items required or no longer required. The preferred item indicator includes a word representing the needed item and a checkbox or blank line upon which the user may mark.

When the canvas 112 constitutes the entire outside surface 108, or a substantial portion thereof, it is preferred that the bag body 102 includes perforations to enhance compressibility and minimize weight. Portions of the bag body 102 constituting the canvas may be fabricated of any of the traditional materials from which portable bags may be made.

Attached to the bag body is a handle assembly 110. The handle assembly 110 may include a one or more handles, as the device embodying the present invention may warrant. As the present invention is applicable to any hand-carried bag capable of retaining items within, the handle assembly 110 may include any handle amenable to carrying a bag by hand, arm, or shoulder.

In the bag body 102 pictured in FIG. 1, the entirety of the bag body 102 is composed of the pliant dry erase material—and thus the canvas 112 is integrated into the bag body 102. As the embodiment of FIG. 2 depicts, the bag body 102 may be only partially composed of the pliant dry erase material defining the canvas 112. The canvas 112 is preferably integrated into the bag body 102, but may be removable. The removable canvas 112 can be attached to the bag body 102 with materials such as buttons or VELCRO and should be of a size large enough to hold the items in a shopping list. Additionally, the canvas 112 of the present invention may include strong magnets for attaching the canvas to mating magnets affixed to the body bag 102. The canvas may then be removably located upon a refrigerator when the bag is not in use, and then magnetically attached to the bag when desired by the user. The permanently affixed canvas is preferably incorporated continuously and flush with the bag body 102, or adhered directly onto the outer surface 108 of the bag body 102. The remainder of the bag body 102 may be made of any material common to the construction of bags, such as leather, faux materials, cloth, and the like. The indicators 114 are located on the canvas 112.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 preferably includes an attachment assembly 118 located on the bag body 102 for accepting-a dry erase marker 116. The attachment assembly 118 is a component adapted to retain a dry erase marker 116 or other dry-erase writing implement, and may include any device capable of retaining via structure or mechanical means an appropriate dry erase writing implement. A structural version of the attachment assembly 118 is a pouch integrally formed into the bag body 102 sized to accept the dry erase marker 116. Alternatively a mechanical attachment assembly means such Velcro could be used to attach the dry erase marker 116 to the bag body 102 or the handle assembly 110. The attachment assembly 118 may be located anywhere on the bag body 102, but preferably in the interior cavity 104.

As shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment of the invention includes the outside surface 108 of the bag body 102 with a sheet sheath 120. The sheet sheath 120 preferably includes a substantially translucent exterior surface and shares an interior surface with the outside surface 108 of the bag body 102. The sheet sheath 120 can be placed anywhere on the outside surface 108 of the bag body 102 and may itself be made of a pliant dry erase material, such as plastic. The sheet sheath 120 includes a reinforced dry erase merchandise insert sheet 122, adapted to fit within the sheet sheath 120.

The reinforced dry erase insert sheet 122 is an insert card that fits within the sheet sheath 120. The insert sheet 122 includes a surface that forms the canvas 112, which includes multiple item indicators 114. The insert sheet 112 is preferably a card fabricated from common paper reinforced with a laminate or clear plastic coating, or alternatively may be formed entirely of a plastic amenable to removably accept dry erase markings.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. 

1. A reusable tote bag for accepting shopping information, said tote bag comprising: a collapsible bag body defining an interior cavity having a flexible cavity entrance and with an outer side surface at least partially composed of a pliant dry erase canvas defining multiple permanent indicators corresponding to merchandise items; and a handle assembly, extending from said bag body, for transporting said bag body by hand.
 2. The tote bag of claim 1 wherein said bag body is composed of a plastic and defines an integral dry erase canvas.
 3. The tote bag of claim 1 wherein said bag body is composed of a vinyl film and defines an integral dry erase canvas.
 4. The tote bag of claim 3 wherein said bag body is perforated.
 5. The tote bag of claim 1 wherein said bag body includes a second side surface at least partially composed of a pliant dry erase canvas defining multiple permanent blanks adapted to accept dry erase information.
 6. The tote bag of claim 1 further including an attachment assembly adapted to accept a dry erase marker.
 7. The tote bag of claim 6 wherein said attachment assembly is integrally formed into said bag body.
 8. A reusable tote bag for accepting shopping information, said tote bag comprising: a collapsible bag body defining an interior cavity and having a flexible cavity entrance and with a first outer side surface at least partially composed of a pliant dry erase canvas defining multiple permanent indicators corresponding to merchandise items and having a second side surface at least partially composed of a pliant dry erase canvas defining multiple permanent blanks adapted to accept dry erase information; and a handle assembly, extending from said bag body, for transporting said bag body by hand.
 9. The tote bag of claim 8 further including an attachment assembly adapted to accept a dry erase marker.
 10. The tote bag of claim 9 wherein said attachment assembly is integrally formed into said bag body.
 11. The tote bag of claim 8 wherein said bag body is perforated.
 12. The tote bag of claim 11 wherein said bag body is composed of a plastic and defines an integral dry erase canvas.
 13. The tote bag of claim 11 wherein said bag body is composed of a vinyl film and defines an integral dry erase canvas.
 14. A reusable tote bag for accepting shopping information, said tote bag comprising: a collapsible bag body defining an interior cavity having a flexible cavity entrance and with an outer side surface defining a sheet sheath having a substantially translucent exterior surface; a reinforced dry erase merchandise insert sheet, adapted to fit within said sheet sheath, defining multiple permanent indicators corresponding to merchandise items; and a handle assembly, extending from said bag body, for transporting said bag body by hand.
 15. The tote bag of claim 14 further including an attachment assembly adapted to accept a dry erase marker.
 16. The tote bag of claim 15 wherein said attachment assembly is integrally formed into said bag body.
 17. The tote bag of claim 14 wherein said bag body includes a second side surface at least partially composed of a pliant dry erase canvas defining multiple permanent blanks adapted to accept dry erase information.
 18. The tote bag of claim 17 wherein said bag body is perforated.
 19. The tote bag of claim 17 wherein said bag body is composed of a plastic and defines an integral dry erase canvas.
 20. The tote bag of claim 17 wherein said bag body is composed of a vinyl film and defines an integral dry erase canvas. 